U.S. Department of Education, Contracts and Purchasing Operations, CPO, 7th & D Streets SW, Room 3616, Washington, DC 20202-4443

D -- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES SOL n/a POC Ellen Mason, Contract Specialist, 202-708-8603; John King, Contracting Officer, 202-708-8367 E-MAIL: John_King@ed.gov, John_King@ed.gov. The Department of Education intends to acquire on a Sole Source Basis, services to establish a uniform operating environment and common records and business practice standards for the electronic delivery of student aid. The contractor will conduct a public/private forum to facilitate the development and maintenance of common business practice standards and other tools to support th uniform operating environment. This service will be acquired from National Automated Clearinghouse Association(NACHA), Herndon, VA 20171 since no other source can satisfy ED's requirements.The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received within forty-five days (thirty days if award is issued under an existing basic ordering agreement) after date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Posted 08/23/99 (W-SN371177). (0235)

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